Things to consider in scheduling a meeting
From Rpcvdraft
Things to consider in scheduling a meeting
I was reading a journal I wrote while in Somalia about my Peace Corp experience in Ikot Ekpene. I forgot about all those little things that went into something as simple as fixing a day for the next community meeting. The Rural Development Officer, in charge of Ikot Ekpene Division (me) probably scheduled 10 to 20 community meetings a month.
- Basic 101, when were the major and minor markets for the area being held (cross those off)
- The Effics/Ibbibios and Annangs used an 8 day week, refered to as the market week. Usually a clan would have or attend a major market on one of those days. There might be a smaller market on another day.
- Best practice was to note next to the meeting in my calendar, the day of the market week.
- Were there religious events going on?
- For example, in my area "Ekpo" might be out and about collecting gifts. In some places and times this was very serious business
- An important person might be putting on a "second burial" to honor a specific ancestor.
- Where were the Tax collectors going to be in the division?
- Revenue agents would sweep an area making sure everyone had paid their head tax. My Divisional Officer gave me a general idea where collectors would be if they were out.
- Were their security issues.
- There was always talk of bandits. Some villages would put up roadblocks.
- Sometimes there might be a land dispute being brought before the district court
- When were the community work days?
- For example, at certain times of the year Oil Palm fruits would be harvested by the village from all trees regardless of individual ownership. Sort of a property tax that supported the school and other community projects.
